Folding table



(No` Model.)

G.L.SHATTUGK-.

FOLDING TABLE. No. 272,909. im/ Patented Feb.27, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. SHATTUCK, CF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,909, dated February 27, 1883. Application filed December 11, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. SHATrUcK, of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State ofrMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in folding tables; and it consists in the combination of suitable cleats, which are secured across the under side of' each end of the table, with slotted side pieces, and the legs having suitable projections extending from their sides at their upper ends through the slots, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to produce a folding table in which no levers, springs, or other appliances are used, and in which the legs, when opened, are braced rigidly in place, and in which the legs alone are the only moving parts.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention complete. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, showing the legs in two different positions. Fig. 3 is an inverted view.V

A represents the top of the table, to the under side of which are secured the two cleat-s, B C, of which the cleat B is much the wider of the two. These cleats are separated from each other just the thickness of the upper portion of the legs D, which are connected together by the cross-piece P in the usual manner.

Secured to the under side of the table and to both ends of the cleats B C are the side pieces, F, which have the L-shaped slots G made through their sides. Passing through these slots into the sides ofthe upper ends of the legs are suitable projections, I, which move back and forth in the slots, and serve both to guide the legs in their movement and to prevent the legs from becoming separated from the table.

In order to close the legs they must be moved outward from between the two cleats B C as far as the slots will allow the projections tomove, and then by moving the legs sidewise as far as the short ends of the slots will allow they can be turned over, so as to fold against the under side of the table. While the legs are in va vertical position they are held rigidly between the two cleatsB C, so that they have no lateral play or movement of any kind, and are thus held rigidly in place. Should the table be raised upward the legs will drop downward as far as the slots will allow from their own gravity, unless it is desired to make the legs t in between the cleats sufticiently close to havethem move only when a pull is exerted upon them. Where they drop down from their own gravity the legs cnn be closed by simply raising the ends of the table a distance above the oor equal to the length of the slot, and thus the table need not be turned upon one side or on one end, at the risk of straining the legs for the purpose of closing them.

The great simplicity of my invention consists in makingthe legs alone the only moving parts about the table andthe manner in which they are braced rigidlyin position when opened outward. All springs, levers, or other such devices are entirely dispensed withand the construction of the table cheapened and'simplitled accordingly.

` Having thus described claiml. The combination of the tabletop having two crosspieces at each end, slotted side pieces placed at an angle thereto, and movable legs having projections to pass through the slots, substantially as shown.

2. In a folding table, the combination of the top A, the cross-pieces B C, of unequal width, the slotted side pieces, F, and the legs D, providedwith projections, substantially as set forth. v

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. SHATTUCK.

Witnesses:

J oHN GEADY, CRAs. I. RATHBURN.

my invention, I 

